Tag Archives: Afghanistan

Mining. Afghanistan is rich in mineral resources. The presence of: iron, chromium, zinc, lead, copper, gold, molybdenum, jade, marble, limestone and possibly also phosphate and potash. Only coal (approx. 140000 t per year), salt (approx. 20000 t per year), lapis lazuli, approx. 5000 kg per year) and natural gas (since 1967, approx. 3 billion m3 in 1971) are extracted.. Only about 4000 people work in the mining industry. Industry and craft. The role of the traditional craft is still very important (only about 30,000 real industrial workers against about 20,000 craftsmen). The most important is the textile industry (about 9600 employees, production: 62 million m of cotton, 400000 m of wool and about 7 million m of rayon). There is also a cement industry (about 180000 t per year), food industry (about 2000 employees, production about 51000 t wheat flour, 9000 t sugar, 4000 t vegetable oils), leather processing and porcelain industry. Of the industrial companies, 66% is located in Kabul, followed by Kunduz, Mazar-i-Sjarif and Kandahar. Of the cottage industry, carpet knots are especially important. Trade. Afghanistan imports more than it exports ($124.7 million against $80.8 million in 1970/71). Exports of fruits (fresh and dried) and nuts, caramel skins (persianer), natural gas (to USSR), wool, carpets, raw cotton, oilseeds, hides and skins, etc. Main customers are: USSR (30 %), India, UK, Pakistan, USA. Many handicraft products (embroidered sheep fur lined jackets, etc.) have also recently found their way abroad. Imports of tea, textiles, petroleum products, metal goods and other industrial products. Check internetsailors for Afghanistan in 2011.